Dortch and Dail Hardy. When Hood went to Washington. the Associated Press took note of his self.made career by circulating his picture around the country accompanied by the caption: "From Messenger Boy to Congress." While serving in Congress. Hood was a member of the Naturalization Committee which approved the first legislai:ion ever adopted in this country to control immigration. Unlike later legislation. it did not attempt to limit the number of persons entering the country. but. through a literacy test to keep out undesirables. The bill was approved by labor and farm groups. but "opposed by greedy American capitalists who wanted all the cheap labor they could get. regardless of its effect on lowering the American standard of living." according to Hood. "Rather than disturb the peace. the contentment. the happiness of my people by a horde of ignorant foreigners unfitted for our citizenship. I had rather the soil remain in woodlands. weed. and grass." Hood said in a speech before the House. in which he took exception to a letter received by him from a North Carolina capitalist stating that "the counties which you represent cannot be developed without bringing in new population." While in Congress.
Identified stereotypes
Generalization that immigrants are ignorant and unfit for citizenship.